Predicting Colorado Rockies' 2016 Record Going Into Spring Training

The Colorado Rockies have had as good of an offseason as anyone could expect following their 2015 season and given the state of the organization post-Troy Tulowitzki. The team re-calibrated to support a young rotation by bringing in three relievers with late-inning experience. Unfortunately, Jose Reyes‘ legal woes may hold the Rockies back in 2016.

The Rockies’ biggest move was dealing Tulowitzki at the trade deadline in 2015. That signaled the definitive end of an era that netted one World Series appearance and years of futility caused by injuries and lack of pitching. Reyes was brought back in that deal to replace Tulo, but he has been placed on leave while a legal battle in Hawaii plays out. Unless something changes, this takes Reyes out the picture until at least a week beyond opening day.  The good news is that the Rockies have Daniel Descalso to play short and can place Charlie Blackmon atop the order as a table setter.

The Rockies traded for Jake McGee and signed the duo of Jason Motte and Chad Qualls to contracts this offseason to rebuild a bullpen that hasn’t worked properly for a few years. Add those three to lefty specialist Boone Logan and youngster Jairo Diaz and the Rockies just need to get through five with a lead or seven close to have a good chance of winning the game.

The rotation is largely untouched from the end of last season, which isn’t an entirely bad thing. Jorge De La Rosa returns as the veteran of the group. There are seven other pitchers projected to get time in the rotation this year, chief among them being Tyler Chatwood and Jordan Lyles. Together between injuries and ineffectiveness those two can cover about one spot in the rotation. Chad Bettis will be asked to step up as a 30 game starter to support De La Rosa and the rest of the young staff.

Blackmon, Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra will keep the offense competitive while the pitching catches up. Moving to a more defensive based roster will help the young pitchers. It will also help the Rockies achieve a 76-86 record in 2016, an eight game improvement over a year ago.